When Aisha comes across a pale, skinny boy called Richard in the school washrooms, of all places, she is as surprised to meet a 1940s boy as he is to see a black girl wearing a headscarf. Aisha is transported back sixty years to the time of the Blitz, when her school was a sanctuary for East Enders fleeing the bombing. But Richard becomes more than just a friendly ghost; he helps Aisha confront her difficulties at home with her mother, where she is torn between two cultures, and at school where a tough schoolmate is determined to give her a hard time. Finally, Aisha decides to find out the history of her area during the Blitz, and what she discovers makes her realise that she must warn Richard about what is going to happen - but how…?

The reason behind requesting this book was in anticipation of Joe Layburn's next book, Street Heroes which comes out later on this year.

This book is wonderful. I think the message which is primarily being conveyed is the trauma that people suffer in the world, day in day out. The second world war was horrific. Acts of incredible human cruelty happen every day, in Somalia, in Africa - in every continent (although less so the two poles). These aren't pleasant global issues, but they are just as important as global warming, and I'm glad to see them addressed in a way that doesn't scare me off learning more about them. Yet this wasn't the message which I identified with the most.

I picked it up and cheered. Here is a fantastic portrayal of how ordinary Muslims are. I've read a few books with Muslim girls in, and this my favourite so far. Aisha has experienced tough situations in her life. These are much worse than the bullying she receives, but she still doesn't like being bullied. I'm glad she has the strength to continue wearing the hijab (headscarf).

What was wonderful about this story was how Richard accepted her and how she looked. He didn't care about her appearance. He likes her personality, and gives her solid advice on how to deal with her current difficulties.

There's a scene where Aisha has a conversation with a 1940's vicar. Considering the time period, he's a pretty liberal minded vicar. I really liked his reactions to Aisha, it serves as a reminder that although religions can feel quite different, there is an underlying similarity of wishing for peace in the world.

The illustrations dotted throughout the book help paint a clearer image of the characters: it really is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. Richard's grandfather is exactly how I imagined him to be, and Aisha is undoubtedly my favourite character in the book, with a great sense of fashion.

This is a book I know I'll read over and over. It's had quite an impact on me, more than I expected it to. There's a huge plot twist at the end which first had me gasping, then had me smiling away. I'm really eager to read Street Heroes - I'll review it here :)

Hi, I'm Nayu!

About me

About me I'm a UK book reviewer who founded NRC in 2009. As well as books I'm addicted to anime, love gaming, and spend time coaxing novels out of my Muse. I'm at the early stage of the path to publication, and will release all news when I have it! ^o^ Sometimes there will be days without posts because I have to deal with chronic illness and chronic pain gremlins. Please be patient in the down times.

Thanks to my passion for languages I like to rest up watching anime in English, French, and Japanese. I also adore gaming and cross stitch. My crochet hobby has evolved in to my Etsy store and blog Nayu's Crochet Dreams, where I sell handmade blankets, dishcloths and other crochet goods.

My cat Belle loves curling on my lap when I read, although she gets a bit crabby when I crochet because she doesn't like the yarn draping over her. Needless to say she doesn't get a say in the matter!

I hope you enjoy Nayu's Reading Corner, which has lots to offer whatever you're interested in.

short 'n' sweet= a shorter than normal review for when I'm low on energy/ill. Full reason is in this post. It bears no reflection on the book's brilliance. I truly would write more if I could.

Apart from books, which are copyright to the publisher, and pictures which I say are mine, all other pictures are found online through a Google search. I don't own the right to any of them.

Affiliates:I'm in the slow process of removing affiliate links. All affilate links will be marked as such, and if you choose to buy a book through an affiliate I get a tiny smidge of money. None of my opinions change because I'm using affiliates.

Nayu, 13th March 2017

Disclaimer

I am fortunate that most of the books I currently review are received from authors and publishers.

At the beginning of each review I put either Review copy (received from authors/publishers), Personal Copy (purchased by myself) or Library Copy (borrowed from the library).

Wherever the book comes from, I always write an honest review, explaining what I do like, as well as what I don't. I don't receive any payment for these reviews.